Vigil honors victims of Highland Springs fatal fire

More than 250 people gathered last night on a youth football field in Highland Springs to remember a mother and her two children, all of whom died in a fire this week at their home.

Killed in Tuesday's blaze were Latasha N. Davis, 28; her daughter, Jazmine Whisnant, 8; and son Jamie L. Whisnant Jr., 3.

"She was such a good mother," said Davis' aunt Deborah White. "I don't think I ever told her that."

People of all ages, some holding candles, formed a circle in the center of a field for the Highland Springs Saints youth football and cheering league. The crowd included dozens of children in their football and cheerleading uniforms.

Jamie L. Whisnant Jr., 3, his sister, Jazmine Whisnant, 8, and their mother is Latasha N. Davis, 28, were killed in a house fire this week. Family photos

Jamie was a smart boy who had celebrated his birthday this past weekend, cousin Ronee Davis said. Jazmine was a Saints cheerleader, she said, always ready to show off her cheers for her relatives.

Ronee Davis, 19, said Latasha Davis had been like an older sister, visiting her at college in Baltimore to make sure she had everything she needed.

Darryl Johnson, president of the Highland Springs Saints, said the deaths have been hard on the children.

"The older ones understand a lot better," Johnson said, adding that he is trying to explain what happened to his own 5-year-old daughter, a cheerleader for the Saints.

"She thinks only old people are supposed to die," Johnson said.

The blaze erupted in the family's home in the First block of Battery Avenue, which extends north from Nine Mile Road on the western edge of Highland Springs.

The cause of the fire still is undetermined. Latasha Davis' body was found in a bedroom hallway, and her two children were found in a rear bedroom. All three died of smoke inhalation. A family dog also perished.

Contact Reed Williams at (804) 649-6332 or .